The Bienville Parish Clerk of Court’s office issued the following reminder for property tax season: paying property taxes does not indicate or transfer ownership.
If a resident receives a tax notice that says “Estate” that means that property has not gone through succession which is required before any heirs actually take possession of that property.
Having “family land” simply means no one rightfully owns any portion of that property. It will remain without clear title until the proper succession paperwork is filed.
The longer the property sits in an unresolved estate, the more complicated the process can become.
Fortunately, there are some alternatives to the full succession process in many cases which will save time and money compared to a full succession filing. Consult a local attorney if there are questions.